Commercial and company records 1815-1860

[Norman]

Other than trade directories, do records of nineteenth century companies exist?

My interest is companies and businesses known to have been operating in West Bromwich between about 1815 and 1860, specifically including the names COOKSEY and/or MALLIN.

Thanks for any ideas.

[Jan1954]

Hello Norman,

Have a read of this National Archives research guide (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=236). Hopefully, it should give you some pointers. :)

[mikejee]

If you go to http://www.blackcountryhistory.org.uk/ and do a search, you get:
(REf: DSCAM/4/1/18 ) Deed of copartnership between William Cooksey of Great Bridge, parish of Westbromwich, Staffs., nail ironmonger and William Mallin Cooksey of the same (his son), as nail ironmonger, screw manufacturer, retail ironmonger, and grocer and druggist under the style of William Cooksey and Son; father to receive four-fifths of profits, son one-fifth; rent of £50 p.a. payable for the works by the partnership to the father, who will repair and insure them; assets to be divided at the end of the partnership in the same proportions..
They have only recently started to put things online, so best to contact them to see what else they have

[Norman]

My belated thanks to Jan1954 and to Mikejee. The Black Country History website was entirely new to me - and potentially valuable resource as it develops. I was delighted to read the copartnership agreement. I already have the will of William Mallen Cooksey, who died in 1845 aged just 30. Prompted by Jan1954 I revisited the National Archives and checked all records of that period for Mallin and Cooksey. Again, apologies for late thanks.

[Norman]

William Cooksey's second wife was Hannah Miller (nee Mallin), widow of John Miller. Can anyone suggest a plausible reason why they would have married in West Derby, Liverpool?

Cooksey's business was as a nail ironmonger, grocer and tea dealer. Hannah Miller's husband's business, which she continued, was as a saddler and harness-maker. Might there be a clue there? Was there a commercial link between West Bromwich and West Derby?